Bombings in Iraq kill 13 ahead of Shiite rite

[StarfarerBill]

Source: Associated Press

BAGHDAD – Staggered explosions targeting Shiite Muslim pilgrims killed at least 13 people and injured 74 on Thursday, authorities said, raising fears of further sectarian attacks at the approach of Shiite Islam's most solemn holiday.

The deaths come three days before the climax of Ashoura, when hundreds of thousands of Shiite pilgrims travel across Iraq to the holy city of Karbala. While Thursday's attacks were smaller than similar bombings in previous years, they demonstrated the continued ability of insurgents to incite sectarian tensions.

Police Maj. Muthana Khalid said a first bomb exploded around 2 p.m. Thursday in Hillah, the capital of Babil province, about 60 miles (95 kilometers) south of Baghdad. He said the second explosion came as police rushed to the scene 15 minutes later, a common tactic used by insurgents to maximize casualties.

The bombs targeted Shiite pilgrims who had gathered near a bus station in downtown Hillah, which is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) southeast of Karbala. People from around southern Iraq, which is overwhelmingly Shiite, make up the bulk of pilgrims traveling to Karbala.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091224/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq

[Flaneur]

1. Ho hum, who cares? This is so last war.